 How does the Cremation Society of Michigan Work? The Cremation Society is notified immediately at the time of death. We will provide transportation from the place of death, and shelter the remains temporarily at our facility until the death certificate can be signed by the attending physician and/or medical examiner. The cremation permit is then secured and the remains are cremated. Do the remains have to be embalmed? No. With the Cremation Society of Michigan's modern facilities, embalming is not necessary. What happens to the cremated remains after cremation? Your cremated remains will be handled according to your written instructions, or returned to your survivors to do as they wish. The cremated remains are returned in a simple temporary container, but if you wish, a memorial urn may be purchased. Is it easy to become a member of the Cremation Society of Michigan? Yes, it will take only five minutes of your time to register with the Cremation Society of Michigan. Just give us a call and we will send you out a statistical information form. Fill it out and mail it to our office with a one-time registration fee of $40 for a single membership, or $70 for a married couple. It is not refundable, nor an offset to final service costs. We will register you, and send wallet sized cards and a certificate of registration. You may change any arrangement instructions just by contacting us. At the time of death, what is the cost for the complete cremation service? The cost of the complete cremation service, within the state of Michigan, is presently $1195 for members. However, there is an additional transportation charge outside of the five-county metropolitan area. (Presently, $2.75 per mile one way from our office.) There may also be city and county charges for cremation permits and certified copies of death certificates. May I pre-pay the cremation cost of $1195, and is it refundable? Yes. And you receive a life time guarantee that this is all you will ever pay. One hundred percent of the funds are placed in a separate trust account in a federally insured bank. The account is between the society and you. In accordance with Michigan state law, all funds placed in funeral trust accounts, and the accrued interest, whether with a funeral home or the cremation society, are 90% refundable. What happens if the death occurs while on vacation or out of state? The Cremation Society has an agreement with Assist America, Inc to make available a Travel Protection Plan for those members who have prepaid a $1195 fee. For an additional amount of $250, you will receive a guarantee that we will arrange the cremation in any location in the world, provided the death occurs more than 100 miles from your legal residence.  Are Social Security and Veterans benefits available if I am cremated? Yes, if you are eligible. There is a possibility of $255 from Social Security, $450 from Federal Veterans and $300 from the County Veterans. The Veterans benefits are reimbursed to whomever paid the cost of the cremation. |
